Work First 207 – FRAUD AND INTENTIONAL PROGRAM VIOLATIONS

VII. FAILURE OF THE WORK FIRST UNIT MEMBER TO APPEAR

A. If the Work First unit member is found guilty of an IPV but the Hearing Officer later determines that the Work First unit member or representative failed to appear with good cause, the previous decision is no longer valid, and the county department must conduct a new hearing. The Hearing Officer who originally ruled on the case may conduct the new hearing.

B. The Work First unit member has 10 days after the date of the hearing decision to present reasons indicating a good cause for failure to appear.

C. The Hearing Officer must enter this decision into the record.

D. If a local administrative disqualification hearing decision is appealed to a State level hearing but the Work First unit member or his representative fails to appear for the State level hearing, the hearing request shall be dismissed and the Work First unit member notified that he/she will be disqualified for the appropriate time period in accordance with the local hearing decision unless good cause is provided, within 10 days of receipt of notice, for not appearing at the hearing. (See DSS-1894, Notice of State Hearing Decision) If the Hearing Officer determines that the Work First unit member or representative had good cause for not appearing, the hearing shall be rescheduled.